Snooker season 2020/21

I recall an interview ken gave around late noughties when he was talking about his slip down the rankings in which he said his wife had asked him why he was coming across so negative in his interviews. She wasnt a big snooker fan afaik but she is a psychologist. And i think thats what happened, he just lost his confidence and never really got it back. One of the most frustrating matches i ever watched was the defeat to mcmanus in the 2005 worlds. That was last 16 with a qualifier Ian McCulloch waiting in the qf. The ken of 2 years previously would never have lost that match.

The other thing is, it wasnt unusual for players of that era not to thrive beyond mid to late 30s. Hendry, ebdon, stevens etc. Jimmy didnt win much beyond his mid 30s either. And its clear to me the fact they were being assaulted by the greatest generation the game has known as well as a good crop of youth coming through was the dominant factor in that.

IRISHSPORTSGUY wrote: »

Why is the North so successful at snooker compared to the South? Apart from Ken's early days.

I think snooker had more of a tradition in the north from the early days. Jackie Rea emerged back in the 40s and 50s and would have been a huge inspiration to the likes of higgins and taylor. There were a few decent players down south but no one at that level. There probably other factors but i think thats part of it anyway.

Glenman wrote: »

Will his comeback match be televised anywhere?

Would be very surprised if it's not on Eurosport.

elgriff wrote: »

https://youtu.be/orLfM3CzDng?t=39733 Always remember this as being a real pity of a miss. Actually an easier shot than I remember, though the next red was not a gimme had he got it.

Missed a couple that frame i think, one into the middle too when all the balls were there for him. If he plays that shot along the top cushion easier maybe it drops, but i dont recall they slipped in so easily in those days.

Yet another tournament this week! Coming thick and fast these days. surprised to see Ronnie had entered given he has had two long weeks on the trot now. I guess he's really given it his all this year to try and stay in form for that seventh world title tilt.

Hendry's return tomorrow as well. Will be interesting to see how he fares. Not expecting a whole lot if I'm honest. Feeney may be good but he's not a miracle worker. Surely 12 years away from the game is just a bridge too far for Hendry to cross?

Always maintain with hendry, its all about getting back and having a crack at qualifying for the crucible. Otherwise, i see no point. Cant even begin to hope you might compete to retain your card if you dont play tournaments so all i see left worth bothering about is the worlds and seeing if he's in any shape to be competitive. Drawing his best pal here is interesting, dunno should it make much difference either way, but dont think its a bad thing anyway.

I dunno, i may be underselling him. I remember being actually mildly surprised he was able to beat Nigel Bond(!) in the seniors last year and he's obviously had 6 months of hard work since. Only guessing what his thought processes could be, but getting to the crucible would represent a very decent achievement in my eyes anyway. Draw could be kind so never say never.

zuutroy wrote: »

And so it transpires. Ronnie and Higgins both withdrew

The Hendry effect. Top players running scared!

waynescales1 wrote: »

Where is this form needed to qualify for the WC going to come from? Look at his results in the seniors WC over the last decade. Ex-players who have long retired beating him comfortably. Trump was right to question the legitimacy of his return.

I'm not unduly bothered by the whole hendry comeback thing really, but i presume faith is supposed to come from the fact he's knuckled down for the first time in a decade and worked on his technical game with steve feeney. Thats the theory i guess. As for the worlds, i wouldnt be putting hard cash on it anyway, but you could have a situation where he had to beat, say, Reanne Evans/Rory McLeod/Michael Holt to qualify or he could draw Joe Perry or Bingham first round. In one scenario, he might have some small squeak at least.

Feels like Hendry's heart not really in it. Always a big fan so let's see where it goes. I read he had 24 hours to say yes. I think that, along with seeing his peers still winning, and now the delays in coming back, all adds up to being interested in having a crack but without committing a whole lot.